Mercury Sports aims to raise Rs 100 Crore

“The deal with Brave is for five years, with a clause of extension. We have got it for $0.5 million.

Mumbai: Mercury Sports Entertainment, the India master franchise holder of Brave Combat Federation (Brave CF), is looking to raise Rs 100 crore in order to build an ecosystem for mixed martial arts in the country.

Akbar Rasheed, founder-promoter of Mercury Sports Entertainment, told ET that the company is in talks to raise funds as it is looking to open a chain of around 50 Brave-branded gyms across the country, launch a reality show and bring a new MMA league under the aegis of Brave CF to India.

“MMA is witnessing a major following across the globe, and while the signs are promising in India, it is still at its nascent stage here. We partnered with Brave CF with a clear vision to create an MMA culture in India in the next three years,” Rasheed explained.

Mercury Sports Entertainment signed master franchise agreement with Brave CF in August this year, which will allow the company to be the official partner and India promoter of Brave CF, Bahrain’s largest mixed martial arts promotion, for the next five years.

“The deal with Brave is for five years, with a clause of extension. We have got it for $0.5 million.

Apart from gyms, MMA league, and reality show, the partnership will further expand to merchandise as well,” he said.

A brainchild of Bahraini royal family member Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Brave was founded in 2016 but has gained traction in the fight circles and is regarded as one of the key MMA promotions out of the Middle East.

As per the plan, Mercury Sports has already started working on a reality show, which will be a 13-week property, scheduled to launch post Indian Premier League (IPL) next year.